The National Association of Private School Owners in the Federal Capital Territory has rejected the newly introduced tax regime for schools in the territory.
Under the new tax regime introduced by FCT Minister, Nyemson, each school will be billed according to tuition paid and the number of students enrolled.
A memo released the Head of Accounts, Department of Quality Assurance of the Education Secretariat, Mudi Muhammed, stated that the new regime would take effect from January 2024 and read further:
“ Following the approval of the Honourable Minister of the FCT for a review of operational charges (annual charge, accreditation, application, re-accreditation, commencement and recognition) payable by private schools in the FCT
You are by this letter informed that the old rate of charges cease to be valid as of 31/12/2023 and the new rate of charges effective 1/1/2024
Under the new rate, each school is billed according to the tuition charged and the number of enrollments. As a consequence, each school has its peculiar bill. You should also note that all application(s) are now N40,000.”
School owners have swiftly rejected this through a letter written to the Education Secretariat
They argue that such a tax review at a time when the Federal Government had promised to eliminate multiple taxes would only increase the cost of education beyond the reach of many parents, thus adding to the population of out-of-school children
The letter signed by its Chairperson, Ruqayah Agboola, added that the tax review would further put pressure on private schools in the FCT as it would increase their running costs
(C) ControlTV 2024.
